The main difference between Enterovirus and rhinovirus is that Enterovirus is a genus of RNA viruses that transmit through the intestine, whereas rhinovirus is the most common infectious virus in humans, causing the common cold.
Enterovirus and rhinovirus are two RNA viruses. Their route of transmission occurs through the intestine.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Enterovirus
– Definition, Facts, Importance
2. What is Rhinovirus
– Definition, Facts, Importance
3. Similarities – Enterovirus and Rhinovirus
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Enterovirus and Rhinovirus
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Enterovirus, Rhinovirus
What is Enterovirus
Enterovirus is a class of viruses that contain 300 serotypes. It belongs to the family Picornaviridae, comprising enteroviruses, coxsackieviruses, rhinoviruses, polioviruses, and echoviruses. The genus Enterovirus contains 12 species. There are also other groupings inside the genus. They are rhinovirus and non-rhinovirus enteroviruses, poliovirus and non-poliovirus enteroviruses, rhinoviruses, respiratory enteroviruses, and non-respiratory enteroviruses, and human enteroviruses and rhinoviruses. Structurally, enteroviruses are small and do not contain a lipid envelope. They have an icosahedral capsid and contain positive sense single-stranded RNA. The size of the genome is 7.4 kb.
Figure 1: Enterovirus Transmission
Moreover, it causes a broad spectrum of diseases, including the common cold, poliomyelitis, and aseptic meningitis. Most enteroviruses show optimal growth at 36-37 °C. Rhinovirus species infect the upper and lower respiratory tracts. It has optimal growth at 33 °C. Non-rhinovirus species most commonly infect the central nervous system.
What is Rhinovirus
Rhinovirus is the most common type of viral infectious agent in humans. It is the predominant cause of the common cold. The most significant feature of rhinovirus is that it proliferates in temperatures of 33–35 °C (91–95 °F). In general, it is the temperature that occurs in the nose. There are three rhinovirus species: A, B, and C. Around 160 serotypes occur in rhinovirus. They differ according to the surface antigens. Rhinovirus is also lytic.
Figure 2: Rhinovirus Genome
Moreover, rhinovirus is a positive sense, single-stranded RNA virus. It is among the smallest viruses in nature, and its diameter is about 30 nanometers. More importantly, rhinovirus is the primary cause of the common cold, and the symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, sore throat, and cough. Furthermore, the common cold is usually accompanied by muscle aches, malaise, headache, fatigue, muscle weakness, or loss of appetite.
Similarities Between Enterovirus and Rhinovirus
- Enterovirus and rhinovirus are two types of RNA viruses.
- They contain a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genome.
- They are infectious particles that cause diseases in humans and mammals.
- Both cause upper respiratory tract illness.
- They contain icosahedral-shaped capsids.
- They contain VP1-VP4 polypeptides.
Difference Between Enterovirus and Rhinovirus
Definition
Enterovirus refers to any of a group of RNA viruses (including those causing polio and hepatitis A) that typically occur in the gastrointestinal tract, sometimes spreading to the central nervous system or other parts of the body. In contrast, rhinovirus refers to any group of picornaviruses, including those that cause some forms of the common cold.
Significance
Enterovirus is a genus of RNA viruses whose transmission occurs through the intestine, while rhinovirus is the most common infectious virus in humans, causing the common cold.
Size
The size of the Enterovirus is 22-30 nm, while the size of the rhinovirus is 30 nm.
Optimal Growth Temperature
The optimal growth temperature of Enterovirus is 37 °C, while the optimal growth temperature of rhinovirus is 33 °C.
Effect of Acid
Enterovirus is stable in acid, while rhinovirus is liable in acid.
Density in Cesium Chloride
The density of Enterovirus in cesium chloride is 1.34 g/mL, while the density of rhinovirus in cesium chloride is 1.39-1.42 g/mL.
Conclusion
In brief, Enterovirus and rhinovirus are two RNA viruses that contain positive sense, single-stranded RNA genomes. They are infectious agents that cause upper respiratory tract illnesses in humans. Enterovirus is an RNA virus that spreads through the intestines. The size of the Enterovirus is 22-30 nm. The optimal growth temperature of Enterovirus is 37 °C. It is stable in acid, while the density of Enterovirus in cesium chloride is 1.34 g/mL. In comparison, rhinovirus is the most common cause of human infections, causing the common cold. The size of the rhinovirus is 30 nm. The optimal growth temperature is 33 °C. However, it is liable to acid. The density of rhinovirus in cesium chloride is 1.39-.42 g/mL. Therefore, the main difference between Enterovirus and Rhinovirus is their structure and diseases.
References:
- Sinclair W, Omar M. “Enterovirus.” StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.
- “Rhinovirus.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
- “Viruses-11-00460-ag” By Alexandra I. Wells and Carolyn B. Coyne – Own work (CC-BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Fmicb-08-02412-g001” By Christopher C. Stobart1, Jenna M. Nosek, and Martin L. Moore – Own Work (CC-BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
Leave a Reply